Afternoon tea at its finest is the only way to spend an afternoon with friends.
Afternoon tea: usually a rather formal affair, complete with British scones (however you choose to pronounce them), clotted cream and some good old Yorkshire tea. The China is expensive and so are the tickets for a spot at the table- or so we thought.
Leeds is full of restaurants that took afternoon tea and threw the idea so far outside of the box that the only thing that remains is the three-tiered stand, replacing all the fancy nibbles with treats like sushi or fried chicken. Others have remained traditional, but took their high tea to the next level with aesthetic crockery and instagrammable decor.
Whatever your preference, there’s plenty to choose from and here are our top spots for afternoon in Leeds.
Chinese Afternoon Chi at Mans Market
Mans Market have replaced those boring finger sandwiches and petit fours with all your favourite dishes to create the ultimate afternoon experience- with plenty of booze included. Guests are invited to choose a bao bun- with crispy roast duck or Panko tofu, before selecting from four different dim sum options including handfuls of Chicken Gyoza, Pork War Tip Dumplings, Mushroom Corn and vegan-friendly Bamboo Dumplings, each swirled and dunked into sweet chilli or soy sauce before making your way onto vegan spring rolls and snack on Lotus Crisps with chilli and spring onions.
This really is the epitome of a unique afternoon tea, perfect for all Chinese food connoisseurs and those that love a bit of dim sum after a few drinks with respective interest. It’s also an absolute bargain at £16.50 per person, available Wednesday – Friday at 2 – 5pm (but you’ll get 30% off if you quote JAN30 upon booking on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout January)
Find out more here.
Japanese-style bottomless afteroon tea at Issho
Putting an Asian twist on the classic English afternoon pastime, the contemporary rooftop restaurant in Victoria Gate elevates the typical cucumber sandwiches and scone offering – switching in sushi, gyoza and delicate sandos in their place.
Offering ninety minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside its Japanese-style afternoon tea, swanky Leeds restaurant Issho’s offer is up there with some of the best bottomless deals we’ve seen in the city. For £47.50, you’ll enjoy unlimited prosecco as you tuck into a host of delicate Japanese finger-food treats. The selection here is split into three: spanning sushi, savoury and sweet, and also includes a selection of fine Japanese and English teas.
Find out more here.
Italian afternoon tea with Aperol Spritz at Livin’ Italy
Down on the waterfront at Granary Wharf is a gorgeous Italian restaurant tucked into an archway serving up its own Mediterranean twist on the classic English afternoon tea.
Priced at £20 per person with prosecco (or £25 if you want to enjoy it with an Aperol spritz in hand), the new afternoon tea switches out the typical crustless cheese sandwiches and scones for Italian delicacies like miniature tiramisu and stuffed arancini balls. Comprised of a selection of classic Italian favourites and small plates, further treats on offer here include fried polenta with friarielli and frollino biscuits loaded with strawberry jam.
Find out more here.
Fine dining afternoon tea with Champagne from CORA
Over in Boston Spa, CORA have taken afternoon tea to a whole new level with a delicately decorated menu. Encompassing everything it means to present fine-dining to the public, the bakehouse offers an array of pastries, designed to be enjoyed alongside a carefully selected drink pairing. non-alcoholic pairings and cocktails.
The bakehouse come restaurant, headed up by chef Elizabeth Cottam (head chef and founder of lauded Leeds restaurants HOME and The Owl), also offers eight small tasting plates on Friday and Saturday evenings for those looking for something a little more substantial than afternoon tea.
Find out more here.
High tea with golden pineapple cocktails at Grand Pacific
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At the newly renovated Grand Pacific inside the Queens Hotel, staff aim to recreate the golden age of high society “with a sumptuous yet relaxed charm accompanied by great service”.
Its indulgent afternoon or ‘high’ teas are also very popular, offering a selection of miniature sandwiches and sweet treats with a choice of loose leaf tea or bubbles. One of the most iconic drinks here, though, has to be their ‘golden pineapple’ which is both a cocktail in its own right and a symbol of hospitality in general. Made with several different types of rum, pineapple, guava and lime and then topped with crushed ice it’s pretty to look at and wonderfully refreshing too.
Find out more here.
Feature Image- Livin’ Italy
